Synopsis . . . Innkeeper and irrepressible sleuth Judith McMonigle Flynn and cousin
Renie face off against a cold-blooded killer in a beach community in
this delightfully charming Bed-and-Breakfast mystery from USA Today and
New York Times bestselling author Mary Daheim.

With
the holidays gone and Hillside Manor almost empty, Innkeeper Judith
McMonigle Flynn has a bad case of the blues. A housesitting stint at her
aunt and uncle’s retirement home on Whoopee Island with cousin Renie
seems like the ideal pick-me-up. Surrounded by retirees in the
off-season sounds peaceful and pleasant--or so the duo thinks. But it
isn’t long before a dead body pops up in their vicinity. Not surprising
in an area full of older folks—until they learn it wasn’t a bad ticker
that did in the victim, but a very sharp knife. With clouds of suspicion
hovering over her and Renie, Judith reluctantly begins sleuthing—if
only to prove they didn’t commit the crime.

But
what she finds is puzzling. The victim reputedly didn’t have an enemy
in the world--except for the killer. Digging for clams and answers, the
cousins discover that retirement can be deadly—at least among the
eclectic, eccentric residents of Obsession Shores.

My Review . . . Welcome to the community of Obsession Shores on Whoopee Island in the Pacific Northwest, where the majority of residents are seniors in search of their next cocktail. It's off-season, and the gossip is as thick as the fog. Enter cousins Judith and Renie, who are expecting an uneventful mini-vacation when they agree to house-sit for their aunt and uncle. Before long their peace is shattered, when they discover the body of resident Ernie Glover on a deserted stretch of beach. The community is baffled and frightened by his death from unnatural causes, because Ernie had no known enemies.

The cousins are no strangers to corpses and investigations, having had many victims cross their paths over their sixteen years of amateur detecting. Yet they are reluctant to get involved in this investigation, given Judith's recent experience in a cold case where she identified the wrong guilty party, and after which she swore off further sleuthing. Old habits die hard, and the women are quickly drawn into the thick of things. And when they stumble upon unusual nighttime activities during a stakeout, they discover there are deeply hidden secrets and unknown ties within this community of eccentrics. Are the secrets related to Ernie's demise? Can they unravel the motive behind Ernie's death and expose the killer?

This latest installment in the Bed-and-Breakfast series can be read as a stand-alone mystery. While the long-running series has a strong fan base, I found the plot of Clam Wake muddled with an inordinate number of red herrings and a short supply of clues to seriously ponder along the way. This left little opportunity for speculation on the reader's part as to the motive and killer until the last few chapters, which I found somewhat frustrating.

Humor held center-stage throughout the story, with the mystery taking a backseat at points. The inter-generational banter between the main characters and their close relatives--peppered with insults, puns, and acerbic wit--was funny, but became rather tedious and annoying over time, as it overshadowed the more caring and redeeming qualities of the characters. Although this tongue-in-cheek style can be quite entertaining and effective, I suspect in this instance it is more enjoyable for those who have read several books in the series.

Despite its flaws, the story is a good escape from everyday reality, and its island setting is both inviting and the perfect setting for a murder mystery thanks to its remoteness and foggy weather. Perhaps I would feel differently about the story overall had I been reading this series from its inception rather than jumping in at this late stage. After all, its best-selling status indicates a considerable following among mystery lovers. I am tempted to pick up the first book in the series to see how it all began and how the characters have evolved over time.

Disclaimer . . . I was given a copy of Clam Wake by the publisherin exchange for an honest review.

About the Author . . .

Seattle native Mary Richardson Daheim lives three miles from the house
where she was raised. From her dining nook she can see the maple tree in
front of her childhood home. Mary isn’t one for change when it comes to
geography. Upon getting her journalism degree from the University of
Washington (she can see the campus from the dining nook, too), she went
to work for a newspaper in Anacortes WA. Then, after her marriage to
David Daheim, his first college teaching post was in Port Angeles where
she became a reporter for the local daily. Both tours of small-town duty
gave her the background for the Alpine/Emma Lord series.
Mary spent much of her non-fiction career in public relations (some
would say PR is fiction, too). But ever since she learned how to read
and write, Mary wanted to tell stories that could be put between book
covers (e-readers were far into the future and if she hadn’t seen her
daughter’s iPad, she might not know they exist). Thus, she began her
publishing career with the first of seven historical romances before
switching to mysteries in 1991. If Mary could do the math, she’d know
how many books she’s published. Since she can’t, she estimates the total
is at least 55. Or something. At the time of her husband and mentor’s death in February 2010, David
and Mary had been married for over 43 years. They have three daughters,
Barbara, Katherine and Magdalen, and two granddaughters, Maisy and
Clara. They all live in Seattle, too. Those apples don’t move far from
the tree…literally.

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Unless otherwise noted, the statements and opinions expressed in reviews and posts on this blog are those of Book Club Librarian. Authors, publishers, and blog tour hosts are welcome to contact me and/or send an ARC or finished copy of a book in exchange for an honest review. All reviews will mention the material source. Opinions shared by others in comments may not reflect my own views, and I reserve the right to moderate comments.